Bladder Cancer

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
• Discharge
• Inpatient
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What do I need to know about bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer starts in the cells that line your bladder.

What increases my risk for bladder cancer?

• Smoking cigarettes
• Age older than 60
• Being male
• Exposure to certain chemicals found in paint, dyes, rubber, plastic, metal, and automobile exhaust
• A family history of bladder cancer
• Chronic bladder irritation or inflammation from urinary catheters or frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Eating large amounts of red meat (such as beef), processed meat (such as bacon or cold cuts), or charred meat

What are the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer?

• Blood in your urine or urine that is dark
• A sudden urge to urinate, or urinating more often than usual
• Trouble starting the stream of urine or urinating very little
• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Pain in your abdomen or pelvis
• Weight loss without trying
• Feeling tired or weak

How is bladder cancer diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms. You may need any of the following:

• A urine sample is checked for blood, an infection, or cancer cells.
• X-ray, ultrasound, CT, or MRI pictures may show the tumor size and location. The pictures may also show if the cancer has spread to other places in your body. You may be given contrast liquid to help your bladder, kidneys, and ureters show up better in pictures. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. The MRI machine uses a powerful magnet. Metal can cause serious injury from the magnet. Tell the healthcare provider if you have any metal in or on your body.
• Cystoscopy is used to look inside your bladder and urethra. A thin tube with a camera on the end will be inserted through your urethra and into your bladder. Your provider may remove tumors during the cystoscopy. The tumors will be checked for cancer.
• A biopsy is used to remove a small piece of tissue from your bladder. The tissue is sent to the lab and tested for cancer.

How is bladder cancer treated?

Your healthcare provider will help you create a treatment plan. Your provider will talk to you about the benefits and risks of each treatment. Some treatments may cause incontinence (leaking urine) or bowel movement problems. You may also develop problems with having sex or being able to have children. Talk to your provider about these and other problems that may develop after treatment. This will help you feel comfortable with your treatment plan. You may need more than one of the following:

• Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is a procedure used to remove the tumor. Bladder muscle near the tumor may also be removed. This procedure is done by inserting tools through your urethra and into your bladder. TURBT may be done if the cancer has not spread to the muscle layer of the bladder.
• Immunotherapy is medicine given to help your immune system kill cancer cells. It is injected into your vein or directly into your bladder.
• Chemotherapy is medicine given to kill cancer cells. It may be given to you as a pill or an injection into your vein or muscle. It may also be injected directly into your bladder. This is called intravesical chemo. Intravesical chemo is placed into the bladder through a catheter. The chemo usually stays in the bladder for 2 hours. The chemo is then drained from the bladder and the catheter is removed.
• Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-ray beams to kill cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy is medicine given to kill cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
• Surgery may be needed to remove your bladder. Surrounding organs and lymph nodes may also be removed. Surgery may be needed if the cancer has spread to the muscle layer of the bladder. You may need surgery if the cancer has spread to other places in your body.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Keytruda
• cisplatin
• Imfinzi
• Mutamycin
• mitomycin

View more treatment options

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

What can I do to help manage bladder cancer?

• Do not smoke. Nicotine can damage blood vessels and make it hard to manage your bladder cancer. Smoking also increases your risk for new or returning cancer. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your healthcare provider before you use these products.
• Limit or do not drink alcohol. Alcohol may cause you to become dehydrated. Ask your oncologist if it is safe for you to drink alcohol, and how much is safe to drink.
• Eat healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruit, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, and fish. Ask if you need to be on a special diet. A dietitian can help you make a healthy meal plan. You need to eat enough calories to help prevent weight loss and increase your energy level. You also need protein to give you strength. If you do not feel hungry, eat small amounts often instead of large meals.
• Drink liquids as directed. You may need to drink more liquids to prevent dehydration. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you.
• Be physically active, as directed. Physical activity, such as exercise, may help increase your energy level and appetite. Ask your healthcare provider how much exercise you need and which exercises are best for you.

Where can I find more information and support?

It may be difficult for you and your family to go through cancer and cancer treatments. Join a support group or talk with others who have gone through treatment.

• American Cancer Society
  250 Williams Street
  Atlanta , GA 30303
  Phone: 1- 800 - 227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 300
  Bethesda , MD 20892-8322
  Phone: 1- 800 - 422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• You suddenly feel lightheaded and short of breath.
• You cough up blood.

When should I seek immediate care?

• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
• You are not able to urinate.

When should I call my doctor?

• You have a fever.
• You vomit and cannot keep any liquids or food down.
• You have new or worsening pain.
• Your pain does not go away, even after you take pain medicine.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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